Device for cleaning tape lines



p 13, 1932- J. L. POSGATE DEVICE FOR CLEANING TAPE LINES Filed. Aug. 24, 1929 Irn/erdow Jams L. posc aie Patented Sept. 13, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES L. POSGATE, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO HERBERT J'. S

DENNISON, AS TRUSTEE, OF TORONTO, CANADA DEVICE FOR CLEANING TAPE LINES Application filed August 24, 1929. Serial No. 388,126.

Steel 'tape lines used for measuring and gaugmg purposes in use accumulate'a covering of-d1rt, grease, molsture or 011 and the principal object of this invention is to provide a simple and effective means for removing the accumulated dirt and thoroughly cleaning the tape before it enters the casing on being wound up. V

The principal feature of the invention consists of a clip member adapted to be placed upon the tape, said'clip being provided with a means for removing the surplus accumu-' lations from both sides and edges of the tape and having cleansing and oiling pads adapted to snugly engage the flat surfaces of the tape to complete the cleaning of same and the thorough oiling of the surface to prevent rust or other corrosion.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a measuring tape showing the preferred form of application of my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning clip removed from the tape with the jaws thereof spread apart.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through the cleaner as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of the device shown attached to the tape casing.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the attachment shown in Figure 4 separated from the casing.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning device is in the form of a pair of long, narrow, rectangularshaped members 1 formed with parallel side flanges 2 spaced apart substantially the width of the tape 3 so that the tape will slide longitudinally thereof between said flanges.

One of the side flanges of each of the members 1 is provided with an extension arm 4 arranged preferably about centrally of the length of the side flange.

pivot pin 7 extends through said lugs .so that the members swing onsaid pin toward and from each other.

A coil spring 8 encircles the pivot pin 7 and the ends thereof engage the arms 4 at the outward sides of the lugs to force the main rectangular portions of the members together so that their open sides will abut.

One of the members 1 is provided with a flange 9211; one end which extends to the upper edge of the side walls and then projects outwardly in a lip 10 which has narrow upwardly extending side flanges 11 to receive and guide the tape. r The other member has an'end flange 12 which terminates in a lip 13 which fits between the side flanges 11.-

The extremities of both of the lip members are preferably squared or turned slightly inward to form scraping surfaces to engage the flat faces of the tape as it passes therebetween and the side flanges 11 effectively scrape-any dirt adhering to the edges of the tape line.

Pads 14 preferably formed of a suitable felt are inserted between the longitudinal side flanges 2 of the longitudinal members 1 and the top edges are preferably flush with the top edges of the side flanges. These pads are presses together the thumb pieces of the arms 4, thereby swinging the members 1 apart so that it may be inserted over the tape.

In placing it upon the tape, the tape is guided between the side flanges 2 and 11 and pressure is then removed from the thumb pieces whereuponthe pressure of the spring 8 swings the members together into close engaging contact with the tape.

The operator may then slide the device on the tape to clean the dirt from it and as he does so the dirt is scraped off by the protruding lip. members and their engaging edgesand the tape passing between the oil pads is thoroughly cleansed and oiled.

If the tape is found to be extra dirty and requires a little rubbing, the clip member may be moved back and forth as much as desired to effect the cleansing of the tape.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 and '5, the clip members for embracing the tape are curved longitudinally to corres ond with the curvature of the perimeter o' the tape case 15 and the member adjacent to the case is preferably provided with a rectangular frame extension 16 which is- I secured to the tape case around the the open. ing 17 through which the tape passes to the reel. This frame will take the place of the ordinary frame and may be provided with the usual rollers 18 against which the tape bears inbeing wound or unwound.

The two members of the device illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 are preferably hinged together centrally of their length and the opposite side is provided with a spring tongue 19 which snaps over a slight protuberance on the side flange ofthe lower member to hold the cover firmly in position over the tape.

Said cover or outer member 20 is thrown back to permit of the insertion and removal of the tape to and from the cleaner.

The cleaner is arranged adjacent to the opening 17 in the case but may of course be arranged in vany desirable location on the perimeter but it must be provided with a hinged or removable cover so that the tape may be laid into the lower portion and then have the upper portion closed thereover.

A device such as describedis extremely simple and in the form shown in Figure 1 forms a small article which may be readily carried in the pocket and it is easily and quickly applied to the tape.

When the felt pads become too dirty for effective use they are simply slipped out of vthe casing and replaced with new felts.

prising a pair of rectangular members hinged together and having longitudinal edge flanges abutting, oiling pads arranged between said flanges, and means extending from one end of said members for scraping the dirt from the tape line. 7 I A device for cleaning tape lines, comprising a pair of rectangular members having parallel longitudinal side flanges and hinge members connecting the same to swing openlongitudinal-ly, lip members projecting from one end of each of said members and engaging the surfaces of the tape line to remove the dirt therefrom, and oiling pads arranged between the longitudinal side flanges of said hinge members.

5. A device for cleaning tape lines, comprising a pair of members each having longitudinal side flanges hinged together at one side, .means for holding the edges of said flanges in engaging contact, cleaning pads arranged betweensaid flanges, and lip members projecting from one end of the aforesaid members adapted to engage-the flat faces of the tape line, one of said lip members havin side flanges engaging the edges of the tape line.

JAMES L. POSGATE.

It will be seen that if the tape has become rusted it can be very thoroughly cleaned by placing a little emery powder on the felt pads or by inserting a strip of emery cloth over the pads.

\ What I claim as my invention is:

1. A device for cleaning tape lines, comprising a clip member formed of a pair of relatively movable sections adapted to be separated to permit the insertion therebetween and removal of the tape line, and means car- '.ried by said sections for engaging the surf aces and edges of the tape line to scrape and oil the same.

2. A device for cleaning tape lines, comprising a pair of clip members adapted to separate along one longitudinal edge to permit the insertion and removal of the tape line, means for scraping the surfaces of the tape line to remove the dirt therefrom, and oiling pads extending longitudinally of said mempers for further cleaning and oiling the tape me. 7 3. A device for cleaning tape lines, com- 

